Trees and shrubs

Majestic towering trees compete with emblematic shrubs to decorate gardens throughout the year. Here’s all you can expect from your shrubs and trees.

A striking hedge all year ’round with shrubs that shine in different seasons

Mixed hedges are a composition of various shrubs. Each species brings its own enticing highlight, either in sync or one at a time. Changing leaf colors, spread-out blooms, and decorative fruits – all such traits are worth considering. Autumn? That’s your go-to season for planting. To guide you in choosing, let’s take a look at […]
Hedges beautiful all year round

Willow-leaf pear, a beautiful ornamental fruit tree with wispy leaves

This smallish pear tree has a bearing and leaves that closely resemble those of the weeping willow. Willow-leaf pear key facts Name – Pyrus salicifolia Family – Rosaceae Type – tree Height – 16 to 32 feet (5 to 10 m) Exposure – full sun, part sun Soil – ordinary Foliage – deciduous Flowering – March-April Wispy leaves and sometimes weeping branches make willow-leaf pear a great ornamental […]
Willow leaf pear

Acacia dealbata, the winter mimosa tree

Acacia dealbata, commonly known under the name winter mimosa tree, decorates our gardens with superb golden yellow blooms from January to March, depending on the climate.
acacia dealbata

Trees with gold yellow leaves, bring the sun to the garden!

Fall is the season of nature’s grand finale, an explosion of color before a well-deserved rest. Like a show of fireworks, a culmination of powerful fiery bursts of color bursts forth from trees left and right in the scenery and in the garden. Gold in particular flashes and shines in all its rich tan-to-orange leaves, […]
Yellow-leaved trees

Tamarillo, the tomato tree

The tamarillo is a fruit shrub native to the tropics which bears surprising fruits with firm flesh and a tangy, pungent taste.
Tamarillo

5 shrubs that bloom in fall

Some shrubs have the advantage of flowering during the entire fall season. They let us make-believe that the summer is extended
Shrubs that bloom in fall

Mimosa tree pruning and shaping

Mimosa, the famous yellow-flowered tree, is easily controlled through pruning. Mimosa pruning key facts Goal – size, appearance Season – after the blooming (early spring) Cycle – yearly (every few months for suckers) With proper pruning, your mimosa tree will grow to the shape you desire. Read also: Mimosa tree care and, more specifically, Mimosa […]
Pruning a mimosa tree

Horse chestnut tree, are you up to a game of conkers?

The horse chestnut tree is a favorite of schoolyards: its famed “conkers” are an infinite source of enjoyment! Horse Chestnut tree facts Name – Aesculus hippocastanum Family – Spindaceae Type – tree Height – 50 to 150 feet (15 to 45 meters) Exposure – full sun Soil: rich and cool  –  Foliage: deciduous  –  Flowering: May Planting a horse chestnut tree The planting usually is performed in […]
Horse chestnut

Boxwood, always the elegant one

Green all year long, boxwood draws back to the elegance of French gardens. Along edges to organize the garden, or sculpted as as a standalone shape, it is currently making a comeback.
Shaped boxwood shrubs forming boxes

Pruning trees and shrubs, why prune and when

Sometimes, it’s better not to prune than to prune wrong. Before going crazy with your hand pruner in the garden, learn why to prune and the do’s and don’ts of pruning.
Schedule for shrub and tree pruning

Italian Buckthorn, how to care for Rhamnus alaternus

Italian buckthorn is a shrubby tree that has interesting variegation on some varieties. Italian Buckthorn facts Name – Rhamnus alaternus Family – Rhamnaceae Type – shrub Height – 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) Exposure – full sun, part sun Soil – ordinary Foliage: evergreen  –   Flowering: March to May Planting Italian Buckthorn Plant in spring preferably. If you plant in fall, the cold might […]
Red berries dot this rhamnus alaternus or mediterranean buckthorn

Pink Peppercorn, the false pepper: Shinus molle

Shinus molle, or pink peppercorn, is an elegant tree native to South America. Pink Peppercorn facts, a short list Name: Schinus molle Common: false pepper, peruvian peppertree Family: Anacardiaceae Type: tree Height: 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 meters) Exposure: full sun Soil: ordinary Foliage: evergreen  –  Blooming: spring → fall  –  Fruit set: summer → fall Planting pink peppercorn It […]
Shinus molle, pink peppercorn

Tree staking, why do it and how?

In gardening, some actions might seem insignificant, yet they are crucial for the healthy growth of plants. Staking is one of them. Find out why it’s essential to stake a tree and how to do it with three simple techniques.
When and why to stake a tree

How to plant a tree or shrub

Planting a tree, shrub, or rose bush is an important for the plant you have just purchased. After growing in a container in a nursery or garden store, your plant
How to plant a tree or shrub

Barbary fig, the cactus with paddles and prickly pear fruits

Barbary fig, or Opuntia ficus-indica, is the cactus that bears prickly pears. Barbary fig key facts Botanical name – Opuntia ficus‑indica Common names – barbary fig, Mickey Mouse cactus, prickly pear, tree cactus Family – Cactaceae Type – perennial cactus Height – 15 feet (5 m) and more Soil – light, well-draining, any pH Hardiness […]
Barbary fig paddles
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